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How to Achieve a Zen Life in the Tech Era *guest post*

14 October 2016

Hi lovebirds! I hope all is well. This guest post was written by the lovely Roxana. She is a travel enthusiast and lifestyle consultant from Sydney. She is all about the healthy lifestyle, loves to run with her husband and dogs and has fun cooking exotic meals for her family. You can find out more about her writing following her on twitter and facebook. She is also one of the editors at Higstylife Magazine. I hope you'll enjoy this blogpost and I'll talk to you soon ♥ x

In today’s high-tech world, there’s a whole army of gadgets that help us do whatever we want much quicker and more efficient. Through over 2 million existing apps, you can basically store your whole life on your smartphone. But does the fact that our lives are becoming easier also imply we’re becoming spiritually impoverished?
Technology dictates how you spend your free time, it impacts the quality of your sleep and influences real relationships you have. The world is virtually connected more than ever, but it often leads to lack of real life communication. There are many campaigns that fight for people being more present in face-to-face conversations and laying off the smartphone. But sometimes, it’s hard to balance everything out and find serenity in this fast-paced environment. Here’s how you can appreciate the advantages of technology, but don’t let it control your life.

~ Pick a day to disconnect
There is a pressure to be present on the social media, and many users are experiencing stress because of it. People tend to seek online gratification, creating their online lives that are unrealistic and fake. We’re on our phones constantly: when we ride the bus heading home, we’re scrolling down our Instagram; in the elevator, we check our Facebook instead of simply waiting for our floor. Our tendency to fill in the time with screen time has become obsessive. Pick one day in a week when you’ll consciously disconnect: it will significantly change your overall mood. Use your cell phone the old way (only for calls and messages via which you arrange meetings), and spend a day outside, with your friends.

~ Rearrange your workspace
We live in a consumer society, where we are constantly encouraged to buy new things. This often leads to purchasing stuff you don’t really need, either because you got seduced by advertisers, or because you’ve unconsciously formed a buying habit. Material things can clutter our workspaces, leaving us restless or unproductive. Very often, you don’t even know your messy desk is stopping you from doing your job well and you might blame other things for your pale days at work, such as the lack of sleep or moodiness. Rearrange your workspace in order to find peace in your mind. Throwing away stuff you don’t need is a good first step. Also, consider getting a Feng Shui consultation and don’t be afraid to ask the expert some questions. Feng Shui has a very interesting philosophy behind it and it can be effective in helping you organize your space meaningfully. With its 3000-year-old tradition, Feng Shui is something worth giving a shot.

~ Organize your time wisely
It seems as we’re all focused on our businesses more than ever. It may be because it’s a big competition out there, or due to the fact that capitalism is reaching its peak. You have to learn how to organize your time and prioritize. Many people spend their free time doing nothing but staring at their computers or TV screens. Leisure time is very important and you have to make it meaningful. Some say that the Western civilization, its rapid development and cultural hegemony - caused a certain division in a man, dividing him in two halves. The first half is his body, the second his mind. Popular psychology interprets this as a reason of many modern mental illnesses appearing. You have to devote time to physical activity and do things that give you a sense of identity. Ancient Greeks knew how crucial it is to take care of your body and mind equally: exercising was one of the holistic ways to do that.

Take these simple tips into consideration the next time you feel overwhelmed with the tech era. Remember that world is not good or bad by itself. It all depends on how you adapt to it.